Doctors' Association for Social Equality

Prema Rajaram

Monday, April 2, 2007 (Kolkata)

Out of 247 management graduates passing out of the IIM-Kolkata, around 50 belong to the SC/ST category.

These students have come a long way. Many have gotten jobs at multinational companies with an average salary of Rs 15 lakh per annum. And what helped them realize their dream of coming this far is the quota allotted for the SC's/ST's.

"I am really feeling proud of myself that I had the caliber to pass out of this esteemed institute," said Swapnil Khandekar, IIM-C graduate.

"The SC/ST reservation quota has made a hell of a lot of difference in the lives of people deprived of such opportunities in education and employment for a long time," said Jayant Ramtikae, another IIM-C graduate.

But there is one regret. While most of these students are happy with their placements there are a few who feel they have lost out on job offers from companies abroad because they lacked the requisite communication skills.

Sky is the limit

Still they have gone further than their parents could ever have hoped.

"Just because of reservation, one cannot get away in the admission process if he has got one or two marks less. It is due to their sheer hard work that these children have succeeded," said Paravati Khandekar, a parent.

"I had this thought that when Dr Ambedkar could work hard and go abroad and be successful, then why not my kids," said Suryawant Ramtikae, another parent.

A management degree from IIM-C gives them a sense of achievement they have always desired.

And having got jobs with multi national companies and plum salary packages too, for these young managers now, the sky is the limit.